Trident Search Ltd
Trident Search Ltd is a London-headquartered executive search and consulting firm exclusively serving the global cybersecurity industry through three divisions: Trident Search (executive search), Trident Horizon (early-stage cyber investment), and Trident Connect (industry events).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Trident Search Ltd does
Trident Search Ltd is a London-headquartered executive search and consulting firm exclusively focused on the cybersecurity industry. Founded in 2020 by Josh Keeley (CEO) and Charlee Ryman (COO), the firm serves early and growth-stage cyber security vendors and the VC/PE investors backing them, with operations in London, New York, and The Hague and a stated reach across 24 countries. Its customer base spans 160+ organizations ranging from cyber startups (Tidal Cyber, Tines, Filigran, Sandfly Security, BreachRx, Reveal Security) to enterprise platforms (NetSPI, Intel 471, Optiv, Recorded Future, Bishop Fox, Dragos, Group-IB).
The company does not develop proprietary technology products; its operational substrate is a curated network of more than 150,000 cyber security professional connections, accumulated market data across 1,000+ completed searches (averaging a 41-day time-to-fill for senior cyber roles), and a consulting team with near-decade domain tenure. In September 2024 the firm relaunched as a "Search and Build" operation, restructuring around three divisions: Trident Search (executive search placing GTM, R&D, and security leaders), Trident Horizon (early-stage investment in cyber startups via partnerships with firms such as Merlin Ventures, Forgepoint Capital, One Peak, Gula Tech Adventures, Paladin Capital, and DataTribe), and Trident Connect (industry events including the CISO Karaoke flagship at RSA Conference, Innovation Forums, and executive roundtables).
Trident generates revenue primarily through retained and contingency executive search mandates paid by cyber security vendors and VC/PE portfolio companies. The Horizon stream contributes investment-related economics (carry/royalties, lumpier), and Connect generates event sponsorship and community monetization. The firm is privately held, founder/management-owned with no disclosed institutional backing, no public listing, and no parent company; it has been recognized as SME News Cyber Recruitment Agency of the Year in 2023 and 2024, and as Best Cybersecurity Talent Partner 2025.
Trident Search Ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Trident Search Ltd
- Legal name
- Trident Search Ltd
- Website
- https://tridentsearch.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Trident Search Ltd is a London-headquartered executive search and consulting firm exclusively serving the global cybersecurity industry through three divisions: Trident Search (executive search), Trident Horizon (early-stage cyber investment), and Trident Connect (industry events).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Trident Search Ltd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Executive Search and Recruitment Services
- NAICS
- Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search (BPACAAAK)
Keywords
Where Trident Search Ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Trident Search Ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Executive Search & Recruitment Services: Trident Search provides executive search and embedded recruitment services for cyber security companies. The firm identifies and places top executives to drive transformational change within organizations. They also assemble elite teams around visionary leaders, strategically aligning with each client's business objectives.
- Strategic Investment (Trident Horizon): Early-stage investment for cyber security startups through Trident Horizon division. Provides capital and support to emerging cyber security companies.
- Events & Community (Trident Connect): Events that bring the cyber community together including executive events, roundtables, networking, and conferences like CISO Karaoke at RSA and Innovation Forums.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Trident Search Ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Trident Search Ltd is an executive search and embedded recruitment firm specializing in the cyber security industry. It identifies and places top GTM, R&D, and security executives into early and growth-stage cyber security vendors, primarily partnering with the Cyber VC/PE community to build leadership teams for portfolio companies. Through three divisions—Trident Search (executive search), Trident Horizon (early-stage investment in cyber startups), and Trident Connect (industry events)—it serves as a Search and Build partner for the cyber ecosystem.
Product overview
Trident Search Ltd operates as a unified Search and Build firm serving the cybersecurity industry through three integrated service streams: Trident Search (executive search for cyber vendors), Trident Horizon (early-stage investment), and Trident Connect (industry events). The company also offers Build services (team assembly) and Consulting services (talent strategy) as part of its comprehensive offering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Trident Search (Executive Search) Global executive search service identifying and placing top GTM, R&D, and security executives into early and growth-stage cyber security vendors. Targets founders, CEOs, Boards, and VC/PE firms seeking transformational leadership hires across the USA and EMEA.
- Trident Horizon (Early-Stage Investment) Early-stage investment arm providing strategic capital and support to cyber security startups, backing founders shaping the future of the cyber landscape. Operates alongside partnerships with Merlin Ventures, Forgepoint Capital, One Peak, Gula Tech Adventures, Paladin Capital Group, and DataTribe.
- Trident Connect (Events & Community) Events and community division that brings the cyber community together through executive roundtables, Innovation Forums, and signature networking experiences such as CISO Karaoke at the RSA Conference. Delivers relationship-building touchpoints with potential clients and candidates.
Quantifiable outcome
- 41 days average time to fill senior cyber security roles
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Trident Search Ltd
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Trident Search Ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Trident Search Ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- HuskeysminorSponsor of CISO Karaoke event at RSA 2026 conference. AI Adaptive Control Plane for web app protection.
- IntruderminorSponsor of CISO Karaoke event at RSA 2026 conference.
- Tidal CyberminorSponsor of CISO Karaoke event at RSA 2026 conference.
- Ocean SecurityminorSponsor of CISO Karaoke event at RSA 2026 conference.
- VeniceminorSponsor of CISO Karaoke event at RSA 2026 conference.
- LegionminorSponsor of CISO Karaoke event at RSA 2026 conference.
- WavenetminorUK's most trusted managed service and security provider offering cyber security, connectivity, cloud, communications solutions. Event partner for Trident Connect events.
- BridewellminorTrusted cybersecurity partner for operators of essential services providing end-to-end cybersecurity capabilities. Event partner for Trident Connect.
- WithSecureminorEuropean cyber security solutions provider with flexible Elements modules. Partner for Trident Connect events and community activities.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Trident Search Ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Heka Partners: Boutique executive search firm focused on cybersecurity, AI, and emerging-technology leadership. Closely comparable to Trident's niche, early/growth-stage vendor focus, and domain-specialist positioning.
- CyberSN: Cyber-focused talent acquisition firm placing professionals across security functions, including leadership roles. Comparable to Trident in vertical specialization and serving cyber vendors and security teams, though broader across practitioner levels.
- Riviera Partners: Tech-focused executive search firm placing go-to-market, engineering, and product leaders at venture-backed software companies. Comparable to Trident in serving growth-stage cyber/tech vendors for GTM and R&D leadership roles.
- Alta Associates: Specialist cybersecurity, IT risk, and compliance executive search firm, widely considered the incumbent in cyber leadership recruiting. Directly comparable to Trident Search in domain focus, executive-level mandate, and cyber-vendor client base.
- Agile Talent Partners: Embedded recruiting and talent partner firm for venture-backed technology companies, including cybersecurity vendors. Comparable to Trident in serving early/growth-stage tech and cyber companies with senior hiring support.
Broad incumbents
- Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with substantial executive search operations across technology and cybersecurity leadership. Comparable for senior cyber mandates but competes from a broad, diversified position.
- Spencer Stuart: Global executive search firm with a Technology, Media & Telecommunications practice covering cybersecurity leadership. Comparable on senior cyber mandates though positioned as a generalist incumbent rather than a niche specialist.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search leader with a dedicated Technology & Services practice that includes cybersecurity. Comparable as a competing option for board and C-suite cyber hires, but operates as a broad portfolio firm rather than a cyber specialist.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Trident Search Ltd social profiles
Digital presenceTrident Search Ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Trident Search Ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Trident Search Ltd subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Trident Search Ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Trident Search Ltd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Trident Search Ltd
What does Trident Search Ltd do?
Trident Search Ltd is an executive search and embedded recruitment firm specializing in the cyber security industry. It identifies and places top GTM, R&D, and security executives into early and growth-stage cyber security vendors, primarily partnering with the Cyber VC/PE community to build leadership teams for portfolio companies. Through three divisions—Trident Search (executive search), Trident Horizon (early-stage investment in cyber startups), and Trident Connect (industry events)—it serves as a Search and Build partner for the cyber ecosystem.
Is Trident Search Ltd a public or private company?
Trident Search Ltd is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Trident Search Ltd founded?
Trident Search Ltd was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Trident Search Ltd based?
Trident Search Ltd is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Trident Search Ltd make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Executive Search & Recruitment Services are the primary driver. The others are strategic Investment (Trident Horizon) and events & Community (Trident Connect).
Who are Trident Search Ltd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Heka Partners, CyberSN, Riviera Partners, Alta Associates and Agile Talent Partners. Broad incumbents are Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart and Heidrick & Struggles.
Does Trident Search Ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for Trident Search Ltd.
What industry is Trident Search Ltd in?
Trident Search Ltd's product category is Executive Search and Recruitment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAAAA, C-Suite & Board Search, with a secondary code of BPACAAAK, Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search. Its NAICS code is 561312 and its SIC code is 6282.